Meet Our Researchers: Robert Nagele, Ph.D. at the Forefront of Alzheimer’s Research
The team of researchers from Rowan-Virtua School of Osteopathic Medicine (Rowan-Virtua SOM) and Durin Technologies, Inc., discuss a newly designed blood test that can detect the presence of Alzheimer’s disease-related pathology up to 10 years before symptoms arise with a nearly 97 percent accuracy rate.
Robert Nagele, Ph.D. and his team are revolutionizing the early detection of Alzheimer’s disease. By identifying seven specific autoantibodies, they have developed a method to detect Alzheimer’s up to 10 years before any symptoms appear. This early detection could dramatically reduce Alzheimer’s incidence in the United States.
The research conducted at the School of Osteopathic Medicine led to the creation of Durin Technologies, a startup focused on developing a multi-disease diagnostic platform. This platform aims to diagnose a range of diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis, and various cancers, by analyzing biomarkers specific to diseased patients.
Nagele recommends that individuals around age 60 consider annual testing. Early detection allows for proactive lifestyle changes, such as improved diet and exercise, which may help delay disease progression and support better brain health.
Written by: Hanisha Hanumanula, master’s in Computer Science